← The Collage Podcast
The Collage Podcast
Episode 50- Lorenda
00:49:15
Our friend Lorenda sits down with Jeff to share about some of her experiences and talks about having hope in difficult circumstances.
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- [00:00]
A
Foreign. Hey, we want to welcome everybody to the collage podcast today. And we are excited because Bobby just informed me this is episode number 50 of the collage podcast, so what in the world? So if some of y'all out there have made it through 49 others of these, props to you. Or get a life. One or the other. Okay, so. So either way, I mean that. But I am very excited today because we have a special guest up here that you don't know who it is, but if you have driven around feed my sheep and feed my sheep is a little place in Temple, Texas up here on avenue G. In Temple, Texas. A little town right in the middle of, I guess, the heart of Texas. Okay, so that doesn't matter. And if you ever driven by here on avenue G and you notice a building that you go, golly, the flowers are beautiful at that place. And you're gonna. That may sound random to you if you're sitting out there, but you would notice the flowers and you go, man, somebody has really got a green thumb. Well, I am happy to say that we have Lorinda, who is the person that is singularly responsible for taking care and growing this magnificent thing. And Lorinda knows this, and I brag on her and I'm gonna let up here, I will say it. She brings a smile to my face every time I pull by here. Just what she has done there. And then also the thought of there's more of Lorinda's story, but that she's in a place. But what Lorinda did with the flowers and what beautiful growth and life is occurring up here that she works hard to make sure it happens makes me smile every day. So I will say that, Lorinda, I am so thankful for that and also getting to know you and hear. So with all of that to say, you don't want to listen to me, but I would like Laurenda to introduce herself.
- [02:17]
B
Okay. My name is Lorinda and I'm from Mesquite, Texas. Mesquite, Texas, that's where I'm from, is Mesquite, Texas, born and raised. And I enjoyed myself in Mesquite. And we, you know, the only time I ever went, we grew up right by the rodeo. But the only time I ever went is when they had wrestling to watch wrestling.
- [02:36]
A
Who was your favorite wrestler?
- [02:37]
B
Carrie von Harris.
- [02:38]
A
Oh, my God.
- [02:40]
B
Yeah. So I only went when they had wrestling. But I grew up in a little, you know, three bedroom brick home. You know, my dad made sure that we grew up. I mean, I was a second set of Kids. So he wanted to make sure he did it right this time. You know, messed up first time, but so we really had a structured life, you know, went to school, did your homework, you know, and then you get to play outside. I mean, you know, and by the time the sun goes down when the street lights come on, you better be in the house, you know, I mean, it was so structured and yeah, you know, emotionally, there's a lot of different things that goes along with that. But, I mean, I really had a structured life. He didn't want me to know bad. He didn't want me. He wanted to keep me in this little bubble and Mesquite Texas, so I would know no bad and no. No wrongs. And, you know, of course, you know, you rebel. And that's how I did. Anyway, so when he told me, don't do it, you know, of course I'm going to do it, you know, so. But yeah, I stepped out of the way for a while and, you know, in and out and done drugs and drinking and, you know, because in my. It's already hereditary also about being alcohol, alcoholism. And so I've had problems with alcohol. And, you know, I just. I quit drinking totally, you know, so I don't drink anymore. I get 10 foot tall and bulletproof. You add alcohol to this and I'm already strong as an ox, so I don't need no help. But, yeah, so. And I've had a lot of different, you know, situations where I need counseling and like, my dad put me. Actually, I was at a big party back when I was young, and, you know, there was drugs and alcohol, and I got, you know, ended up. First time I ever had sex, and I got. I got pregnant and I. My dad said no way. He was he raising no kids. He said, you know, he. That's how. Actually, I ran away from home. Okay. Well, then I ran away from home.
- [04:23]
A
How old?
- [04:23]
B
I was 13. I ran away from home. And my dad. And my dad said, the only way you can come back home is if you have an abortion. I'll pay for it, you know, And I didn't want to have an abortion. I was really, you know, down about that and whatever, but I figured, you know, that the way I wanted to be home so bad, you know, I'm saying I wanted to have that structure in my life. So I ended up having an abortion. He paid for it. Well, they put me in a drug rehab in Waxahachie, Texas, matter of fact, for like six months or whatever. And they were like. It was a Nationwide lawsuit because they were real bad about how they kept people in the rooms or strapped down to their beds for long periods of times, not cleaning up, you know what I'm saying? So it was a really bad situation. And so anyway, but they paid, you know, I got to come home. But there was a nationwide lawsuit against that hospital and a whole bunch of others and that doctor and a whole bunch of others. And so I ended up getting a settlement back when I was turned 23. So it took 13 years and, or took 10 years, whatever, I got a settlement and nationwide lawsuit. And so they're asking me, send me a letter in the mail, do you want this much money? Do you accept? I'm like, heck yeah, give it to me. You know. And so I ended up getting a settlement when I was 23. And everybody's my friend, you know, Boy, I was just blowing and going, spending money like nothing, you know, and that drugs and alcohol were involved then, you know, it was crazy. But, you know, there's things you have to go through in your life, you know, to get you where you're at now. And I'm telling you, it was crazy having so much money, you know what I'm saying? I had more money I knew what to do with. I went to Levitt's Furniture, bought me a two bedroom apartment. Not even have an apartment to put it in. I said, here's the money for that, I'll be back, I'll tell you where to deliver.
- [06:01]
A
I gotta find a place to put it.
- [06:03]
B
So I went to these apartments and I paid for six full months up front. You know, I'm gonna live here for six months. And so then, you know, I lived there for six months. Well, money starts going, boy, money goes fast. And after that six months, I was running out of money. So I ended up putting 10,000 down on a trailer in Sville. It's kind of on the outskirts of Dallas and you know, around where I live, where I grew up. And so, I mean, I ended up living there for a minute, but I put 10,000 down on a brand new Clayton Alamo at Clayton Alamo three bedroom home trailer. And I ended up, you know, I was drinking and drugging and so I ended up losing it. And so I was wanting them to give me money to get out. They actually gave me 500 to move out. But I've been paying on it for like two years, you know, so I'm like, y'all could give me something, I'd have put 10,000 down and been paying on it. So, yeah, they gave me 500 to move out. And so, yeah, so I moved out and. But I've done tried to do a geographical thing on drugs and alcohol, you know, to get sober. And I've done a lot of different steps that, you know, that it takes to get sober. And, you know, either way anyway, I was doing it for somebody outside myself. I was doing it for my kids, or I was doing it for my parents or, you know, whatever. And my real mom lived in Arizona. So I did the geographical thing and I moved to Arizona. And, you know, I got me a place there. You know, everything was good, you know, sober. And then somebody comes around, you know, that, you know, always the devil's right there at your corner. And, you know, somebody brought it up to me and I ended up going back out, you know, and. Because I was doing it for everybody else besides myself. And that's what I realize now, because now that I'm sober and, you know, whatever, I'm doing it for myself. I mean, yes, I do have an emotional times, but, you know, I'm doing it for myself, so. And especially like this greenery I love, I love I've always had that green thumb, you know, and to me, they're like kids to me. Like all the plants are their kids to me. And I'm not gonna not water this kid because his parents are bad to me, you know what I'm saying? It's not about whose they belong to. It's about I'm doing it for the good. And so, you know, and I love that because that's the God, you know, I mean, that God waters them. He, you know, puts a sun out for them and so he makes them grow. And that just really triggers me. I mean, I love it, you know what I'm saying? So I don't know why I even started. I guess it was. I sat out there and I seen all the flowers going to die or something, you know, out there in that very front when I was like, man, who waters this? Can I water it? You know, let me. And so then I just started even getting through the fence. That one cop said, how'd you get back there? I said, through the fence, like I was supposed to. They know what I'm doing. But yeah, so I mean, and ever since then I've been, you know, and I remember that one day Case or Casey or Jeff said, well, can you go around and go through the right fence the right way? Yeah, I can do that. But, you know, that's how used to getting in, that's how I get in and, you know, I mean, I knew at one point they were going to block it off and that would have been fine, you know, And I don't think I ever had a key or the combination to that one lock they had to cut that it wouldn't work anymore.
- [08:52]
A
So, yeah, I lost the key.
- [08:54]
B
Yeah. Yeah. Lost the key or something. Yeah, it locked and had to break through. But other than that, I mean, I just love it. I love the greenery. I mean, I just love growing flowers.
- [09:03]
A
I will give you props, Lorenda. That was the single longest introduction of your name that we have ever had. No, I like. But it is. I like that, like, because this, you can tell, like, you, you've. You've thought about some of this stuff, like, and like that what I like on these discussions. And I'm just giving you a hard time. Almost everybody we talk to, their introduction is going to sound just like that. It's a whole lot. So what we're going to do, we're going to go back a bit and just kind of look at different moments in there, because there was a whole lot in that.
- [09:43]
B
Yeah.
- [09:44]
A
Okay. So just for time frame. Okay. So started the rebelling process. What would you think? How old? Obviously before 13.
- [09:54]
B
Yeah, yeah. About maybe five or six. Yeah.
- [09:58]
A
And then drugs and alcohol became in your life. At what age do you think?
- [10:01]
B
About 13.
- [10:02]
A
About 13. Okay. And then got pregnant with that. And. And 13.
- [10:08]
B
And then had the abortion.
- [10:10]
A
Oh, my gosh.
- [10:10]
B
Drug rehab.
- [10:11]
A
Yeah. Okay.
- [10:12]
B
Yeah. And so, I mean. Yeah, that was pretty. It was pretty hard, you know, and. But to me, I believe. And you know, they say that the baby's not even, you know, made yet, you know what I'm saying? So, I mean, I believe that. And, And I think it was. You give it to God then. That's what it is, I'm saying. And maybe he needed, you know, I don't know, maybe for somebody else, you know, I'm saying. So I just, I took it as it comes, you know, that's it.
- [10:36]
A
Like, so in that one, I will tell you this. Like, well, I am stupid. That's not something that surprise. I don't. I don't have the answers there. Like that one is. I do know these things that, that God is way bigger than me, my understanding of anything.
- [10:55]
B
And I know there's a lot against abortions and stuff, but I do believe that me raising a kid at 13 years old, that I wouldn't have been able to raise it. My dad would have to.
- [11:03]
A
It also wasn't your choice and you shouldn't have been put in that position as a child anyway.
- [11:07]
B
Yeah.
- [11:08]
A
So with it in this, not to get on any. It really hurts my heart to think of a 13 year old girl.
- [11:18]
B
Yeah.
- [11:18]
A
In that position.
- [11:19]
B
Right.
- [11:20]
A
I mean, that's really backed against the wall of what were you going to do?
- [11:27]
B
Yeah.
- [11:27]
A
Okay.
- [11:27]
B
And so then I was the second set of kids, you know, so he couldn't.
- [11:31]
A
Yeah.
- [11:32]
B
And I don't know about adopting or anything. I couldn't even.
- [11:36]
A
And, and looking back at your childhood. Okay, so, and so then we're gonna just give me a little scoop. Tell me if you could, if I said, Lorena, tell me your happiest childhood memory. So if you just thought, tell me the moment, like something that you remember from your childhood, you go, that was a real. This is a great memory for you. Tell me what it was.
- [11:59]
B
And see, a lot of them were like every Christmas we had the big Christmas tree that, you know, all get together, the whole family get together and we all had our own little, you know, designs and stuff that we made and you know, so we'd all get together, come together at Christmas and put up this tree and it was a big tree and it was real nice and we, we just all had our own little things and we were all sitting. And it's when the family comes together is when I have the best, the happiest moments.
- [12:22]
A
Okay.
- [12:22]
B
Families come together.
- [12:23]
A
So family members of family, a matter.
- [12:26]
B
Gathering, they matter a lot. Absolutely.
- [12:29]
A
Okay. So on the same coin, just to kind of give me. So we're trying to get an understanding. Tell me if you go, man, what was the saddest memory or a moment that you go, man, that was not the best moment at all. That still sticks with you because you're a grown adult now. So we're not talking. So just because y'all can't see this, I'm not going to go into age because that's inappropriate on a lady. Lorinda is not 13, okay? She's not a high school student. So we're not talking to a young kid. Life. Lorenda's had a lot of life. So when you're looking back in your childhood, something that still sits with you, that you go, this is my daddy.
- [13:05]
B
When my daddy passed away.
- [13:06]
A
Your daddy passed away? When did that happen?
- [13:09]
B
It's been, I don't know. I try not to remember the exact day. No. But it's been about five years, I guess over six years. And he was so hard headed, just like me. I mean, I'm just like him. But about going to the doctor, and it really. It was aneurysm. Aneurysm in his lower abdomen, and it had busted and he. Bleeding internally for, like, three days. And he didn't. Oh, I'm just hurting. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm gonna die one of these days. He never would go to the doctor, but before that, he already had a triple bypass heart surgery. And so they took veins out of his legs and stuff and, you know, to fix his heart. And they said by the time he actually went to the hospital, he had been bleeding so much his heart couldn't take it for them to. And I was fixing to hurt those doctors because they wouldn't. They said they couldn't help him anymore. And, you know, that he would. He let. He'd been bleeding for so long, and, you know, they just let him go. And that really hurt my heart. That's about. I mean, you know, and it really. Yeah, that's happened about five or six years ago. I might try not to remember the date because, I mean, it was such a horrible time. You know what I'm saying? So I just let it go. But I know he's here with us.
- [14:15]
A
Yeah, I'd agree. Like, and that is sad. Like, to lose a loved one on both of these, I mean, are very sad moments on that, because you can see family, it matters to you. I mean, I can look at that. And your dad had quite an influence on you. I mean, you can see on that. So for people outside who don't understand, when you and I met, that's just. Whatever. That's a year or two ago. I know it's not quite that long, but so kind of explain. Not in great details. We had just mentioned it, your living circumstance when you first started here, like, so people don't know. Okay, so tell me how we met. I can still see it. Where were you when we. Let's see how good your memory is.
- [15:09]
B
Where were we at?
- [15:10]
A
Yeah, where were you?
- [15:12]
B
Where was. I was homeless.
- [15:14]
A
But where were you at? Over here on the property, because. So you were. You were homeless.
- [15:18]
B
I was trying to help out or something.
- [15:20]
A
Well, you were right across over there on the probation property.
- [15:24]
B
Oh, yeah. Because I got CT'd from the probation property over there.
- [15:28]
A
Yeah, so you were over there and another one of our person, Dink, because he was kind of.
- [15:32]
B
Yeah, because he took my. He took my back and was trying to work on it or something. But. Yeah, he messes up a lot of boxing, so I wouldn't really want to have him Work on my bike anymore.
- [15:42]
A
Yeah, not if you're looking for a bike mechanic. No offense. That probably wouldn't be my first choice. If you're looking to parts your bike out and to have it be in like, 10 other locations, that's the person to go to. Bikes are a hot topic around Feed My Sheep. There is lots of parts of bikes that. That pop up. So, Lorinda, just for point of reference here in temple, when we met, Lorinda was living outside.
- [16:13]
B
Absolutely. I was homeless, and this is my second time to be in temple. I mean, first time I come to temple, I was homeless too. And each time I come to temple is because I had aunts in Killeen and Copper's Cove that I was helping take care of them, you know, physically, you know, and like, my aunt and Colleen, poor, God bless her, she's passed on now, but she had dementia, and she would really get evil. I mean, like, really mean and stuff, and she would kick me out. So, you know, I'd end up here in temple both times, you know, and I end up homeless because I'm helping somebody else. And I've always been like that all my life. Someone calls me, they need help, I'm on it, you know, I'm there, you know, like, my friend, Indiana, she had a lot of grandkids and she needed help. So I went up there, you know, started helping them. I mean, that's just my job, I think, you know.
- [16:59]
A
So here I will tell you off the record, I asked, like, when we first met, I was like, man, don't make no sense. What's like. Everybody tells me, like, when the place you were staying before. Oh, Lorenda took care of everybody, you know, I mean, not a good place.
- [17:14]
B
Yeah, no, no.
- [17:15]
A
We won't say any names or nothing.
- [17:17]
B
Yeah.
- [17:17]
A
Very bad place. And I am not even claiming to understand a quarter of what goes on.
- [17:23]
B
Preacher Man's whorehouse. Sorry. Yeah.
- [17:27]
A
And it is. So I. So we're not gonna go in detail, but you were. But it's inside. Like it was something.
- [17:35]
B
Yeah. And there's.
- [17:35]
A
And there's a cost associated with staying there.
- [17:38]
B
Yeah.
- [17:38]
A
And we mean that nicely. Okay. So I know the person and, you.
- [17:44]
B
Know, and I started working with him on his job. And so, you know, it was really, you know, he was paying me good, too, to work with him, so. And he's never really come on to me, so I didn't really have that problem with him associated. But I did work with him physically. I mean, he realized how strong I was when we were pulling off these Double taped sheets of plywood. And I'm helping him and I'm on the other side. You know, I'm just me and him. And he's like, dang, girl, you're strong. I said, and I got more of that coming from what?
- [18:11]
A
Okay, let me ask you. So, like, somebody like me, I have never so far in this juncture of my life, like, and I'm not. I can't guarantee that it's going to always be the case. I've never tried to make it outside in the streets of temple homeless. Tell me what it's like. I mean, like, you can't even put it in words, but tell me as a lady. You're a lady. Lorinda is a lady. If you haven't caught on.
- [18:37]
B
Okay, she is a lady.
- [18:39]
A
Tell me in words. What is it like?
- [18:41]
B
Oh, it's horrifying at one point because you have no structure around you. So I mean, just to sleep at night, it was. How do you do it? I had to be on camera. I made sure wherever I'm at, there's cameras. So if anything does happen in turn, I can go back and say, hey, can you rewind the camera? You know, let's rewind this and check. I get the library, they got cameras. There's different places that I would sleep to make sure that I'm on camera to. So, you know, if anything does happen. But usually when they, you know, I'm. I'm the grouch or whatever they were like, don't mess with her, don't wake her up. Be quiet. You don't want to wake up.
- [19:15]
A
Okay. So like, that's when Lorenda and I met. Is she was outside. And then when we talk about this property, it's just a group of trees across the way that have shade. And some people hang out there.
- [19:29]
B
And yeah, they say to me because I put a tarp for my bicycle, was raining, put a tarp for my bicycle and tacked it to the ground just so me and my dogs could head cover. And that was camping. And they wanted to see team me. What do you mean? I'm fixing to move it. It was just a few minutes.
- [19:46]
A
So Lorinda lived. That was how we met. Okay. And so then out of that in our relationship, here is that's how Lorinda was. That's where she's living. Okay. And on that you still chose. I want to help work up here and do the flowers and all of this work that's going on is what impresses me the most is I will say, and we Won't use big whatever. Okay. I can't. It shows me just finding beauty in life, even in very, very bad moments, it's something we can choose.
- [20:31]
B
Yes, yes.
- [20:32]
A
Like you found a beautiful thing that you could create and to focus on something that was decently positive. Planting flowers and watering flowers did not solve your situation. Okay. And so it'd be easier choice. So many we see. Everybody's like, oh, man, life just sucks. So effing.
- [20:52]
B
Yeah.
- [20:53]
A
I ain't gonna do nothing. You know, why should I do that? Why should I care about this? Nobody cares about me. But out of it, you just had this care. And it's just to look at it and to think of what, like, for me, because I love plants. I'm terrible at it. What you started with that was like we didn't even know if somebody, nobody here respected anything as far as property or plants. They're going to stomp on it. They're going to trash everything. Have you had any issue with that?
- [21:25]
B
No.
- [21:25]
A
None. Everybody takes care of it because they know it means something to you.
- [21:31]
B
Yeah. And there's. There's a few people that want to throw trash or whatever. Cigarette. But, you know, the way I look at anything that I've done up here, anything I do in life, God carried a cross for us. I mean, Jesus carried a cross for us. He. That was heavy. You know what I'm saying? Being chained and bound, I mean, I can imagine. So what's me picking up a cigarette butt outside? Nothing. You know, I mean, compared to him. So why. What, what is it hurting me doing this? So that's why the people want to throw down trash. I'm like, they just fed you. You're biting. You're biting the hand that feeds you. You know what, what do you think? You know what I'm saying? And I really have grace against feeding my sheep because. Or for feed my sheep is because they still feed. Even though, I mean, I know you have to cut us off at certain times or whatever, because they do. But I mean, even though people do so much wrong here to feed my sheep, and then you'll see, keep going and keep feeding them and stuff. And that's just. That's honored me. I mean, I mean, that's awesome.
- [22:25]
A
And I'm kind of like you is I'm hoping I know what I deserve from God because I know my life and I'm hoping that the grace that is true in the Bible, he pours out on me. Yes, I don't deserve anything. Yes, I spit in his face all the time, whether I intend to or don't, I do. And. But still, his love for me, what I love. Like this. Yeah. Like Hosea and Gomer. Like, you look, it's an Old Testament story, and it's one of my favorites because it's me in that, you know, God falls in love with this bride, and the bride was a prostitute, you know, and the metaphor, okay, so in the. But in that. So then out of it, you know, and he loves her unconditionally, shows grace, and she makes mistakes, and he takes her back and she makes mistakes and takes her back and makes mistakes and takes her back. And finally it comes to a point in the story where she had got caught again. And this relationship. I mean, everybody in the whole town knew what she was. She was in front of the whole town, no clothes on, embarrassed. And this husband went and got her again. And everybody is, like, kind of making fun of him because he's such an idiot for taking her back again and again and again. And there's a beautiful verse, okay? And it's God saying, my heart overflows, like, with wrath. I want to do these things. Like, I am angry. Okay? But then he has this next sentence right there. He says, but my heart overflows with compassion for you, and my love for you is undying. So I don't.
- [24:18]
B
Yeah.
- [24:19]
A
And so, like, I'm looking at that. I'm going. It's that, like, I'm going, yeah. Like, man, do I want to do and respond angrily. Absolutely.
- [24:29]
B
Yeah. Because my dad raised me. Hardcore is like, don't lie, cheater. Still, the three things I was raised, you know, and it's hard for me to have compassion, like, for people. And I really. I should have more compassion, I guess, for more people. But as if they keep. You keep doing it, you're gonna keep, you know, getting the same results. And so you gotta cut it off somehow, you know, I'm saying you gotta make them stop, whether they gotta hit bottom or whatever. I mean, that's just me. I don't know. Because I can't stand to be stolen from, you know, I can't, you know.
- [24:57]
A
Anybody, if you want, and rob me.
- [24:59]
B
Of my happiness every day, you know, just anything, you know, I will go.
- [25:03]
A
On record if you want to see somebody not quite so nice.
- [25:08]
B
Like, still for me.
- [25:11]
A
Yeah, buddy. Like, we've had a couple moments where, like, some people have. Everybody have borrowed from Lorenda and then. And it does. It does hurt her.
- [25:19]
B
Yes.
- [25:20]
A
Like, we've had some moments of that.
- [25:22]
B
I literally let them know yo, no, she don't.
- [25:24]
A
She don't play.
- [25:25]
B
Everybody knows she don't play.
- [25:28]
A
But then out of that. So then. So we're not stuck there. And. And so we're going to just quick touch into your life because we can't go into all the details. So in it. So in this year. Homeless when we first met.
- [25:43]
B
Yes. Not now.
- [25:44]
A
That's right. So tell me about that. What does that mean?
- [25:47]
B
I love it because of all the hard work I've been doing. And you know, this to me is not work. You know, when I'm out there watering, it's not really work to me. I do that just out of. I mean, I like it. You know what I'm saying? It's happiness. And so out of all this work and every night I come to water and you know, I've been doing it dedicated and, you know, and I enjoy it. So it's kind of hard to me to see it as work. But we went to the art show and I got represented that they were going to give me. Let me. They had a place for me to live and on housing and everything. And it was just awesome. I mean, it was the most. The most wonderful place in time that I could ever have, you know, and you know, besides the little things in life. But I mean, it was big to me because I was actually, you know, being able to get my own place and can afford it, you know, because. Right. I mean, it's hard to live it on fixed income, to have a place and pay bills and, you know, and to be, you know, livable. But this is awesome. I love where I live now, you know, there is problems about the attic, but I don't know about, you know, how to deal with that. But it's umped into both sides, you know, and. But I've got it sealed off to where they can't come in my side, you know. But other than that, I'm telling you, that place is awesome. I mean, I love it. It's like a new brick home to me. And I mean, it's pretty well kept and, you know. Yes. And it's wonderful. I love it. I'm wanting to do the gardening and stuff outside and have my own little flower garden going, but there was issues outside, so. Well, maybe I can do it inside, you know, however. But I love to grow things and so that's just to live off the land is, you know, the thing. But that apartment is awesome. And I had some bad neighbors on my right hand side of me and they were really bad. He was Like Jethro Bodain or something. Literally. And he was really bad about the fence line, property line and all this. And. And you know, in turn they had to move or they're moved. They went to, I guess temple. I mean. Yeah, they live in temple or some. Or somewhere else. I don't know. But they are clean, I guess. Clean. Sorry. But they moved off to clean. So they don't have. There's nobody on that side anymore. So maybe they tear down that house because it looks pretty bad. But yeah, other than that, it's awesome where I live. I mean. And it's busy street too. And I kind of like that actually, because, you know, you don't have to worry about people, you know, because I mean, there is on a busy street. So it's really nice. I love it. I love it.
- [27:57]
A
So for everybody just in that. So back the art show is elevated here. We had. Is in July. Okay. So in July, first part of July. Ish. What I remember of that is Lorinda, she did it did work out where she got the keys to her place. And then there's a lady named Miss Mary from the city of temple that helped make this. Make this happen. And Lorenda was the first one in this program to get her own place.
- [28:28]
B
And also working in the community garden over there at the other apostle church. I love that too.
- [28:33]
A
That's right. With Pastor Becky. So Becky is up here feeding my sheep. I've known her for a long time. And in that. And so. But what was real. And Becky was at the art show.
- [28:46]
B
Yeah.
- [28:46]
A
So she watched this. And out of that. It's not. You can't understate. Man. It was so neat to watch you get your key to the place at that event. That was. And I'm just saying that could. It was nice. Okay. That was. That was nice. What was absolutely beautiful was when everybody at the place. 300 and something plus people prayed.
- [29:15]
B
Yes.
- [29:15]
A
Specifically for you.
- [29:16]
B
Yes. That was awesome.
- [29:18]
A
It was awesome. It was beautiful. It was so. Right. It was so good to watch that. You know, and everybody is praying that knew you and they didn't know you. They're praying for you and that. That you. It was so good.
- [29:36]
B
Mm. It was awesome. I loved it. And I like to. Even to people that did record it, you know, to go back and watch it again. It's awesome. Yeah. It was beautiful. Yeah.
- [29:45]
A
And then out of that. And I know a lot of the people. What is neat for you to feel and to hear is people are still praying for you all the time.
- [29:55]
B
Yes. Definitely. And then also they let me. They had a truck and a trailer. I went with them and they had a storage unit that they got people, you know, stuff, give them to them or whatever. And I got to pick out whatever I wanted and take it home. So it was awesome.
- [30:07]
A
It wasn't as good as Levit. I want two bedroom and stuff. And I ain't got a place yet, but it's going somewhere.
- [30:15]
B
But it was awesome.
- [30:16]
A
For six months.
- [30:18]
B
It was awesome. I still got that painting I have on my walls from that Levitz.
- [30:22]
A
That's right.
- [30:22]
B
Do you remember painting? Yes. It's a $900 painting I got on my wall.
- [30:27]
A
$900 painting.
- [30:29]
B
That's the only thing I got is worth it? No, but that's what I can still have from that.
- [30:33]
A
I need about $500 y'all owe me.
- [30:35]
B
And I'll take that painting right there.
- [30:39]
A
So it is. I will say, and like this, we're not going to go forever on it. It is your strength and God's strength.
- [30:52]
B
I'm telling you. Whether for him I wouldn't have nothing. I'm telling you, it's all for him. And he's been like that all my life. I could not. I can't think of a time that he wasn't there. Even when the bad things were happening and the bad things were going on, he was still there. You know what I'm saying? And he shows out every now and then when he shows out, he shows because I, you know, for instance, with me in that car, I was. Oh yeah, I don't know about Thanksgiving Day of 95. I was in a bad car wreck and my ex was driving. I was on the passenger side and we had his. His two boys with us in. In the back seat of a little truck, you know, had this little extended cab and it had his back seat. They were back to see this. He. He ran a red light. People coming off the highway had a green light. They T boned me and hit me on my right side of my body and I was gone. They care flagged me to the hospital. They didn't think I was going to live. And God showed out right there because, I mean, I was in the hospital for six months and in a coma for three, but I was in hospital.
- [31:47]
A
You were in a coma for three months.
- [31:49]
B
It kept me coma induced because I was fine.
- [31:50]
A
You forgot that in your introduction.
- [31:52]
B
Sorry. I hope that was my introduction. That wasn't. What part are we on? But yeah, and I try not. But that God showed out then because I'm telling you. See, my stepmom's a Buddhist. You know, it's a form of prayer to me, I think, you know, it's not the little fat man sitting in the chair you pant to, but it's a form of prayer of how, you know, I'm saying you chant for good things, you receive good things, you chant for. I mean, I'm saying it's just. And so I was right, you know, but I was raised Baptist and you know, and I believe there's a lot of different religions. It doesn't matter how close you get or, you know, how you get to God, as long as you're there. And that's the way I feel because a lot of people raise different religions and I don't really like to get into that because I know God here and God in my heart. I'm telling you, he saved me from that car wreck. They were convincing my family I was going to die, that I wasn't going to live. They had the preacher man in the room and everything and all they did was change that needle. My mom reached over me to help tie my one arm down. I almost bit her. She's like. So I didn't bite her. But anyway, they changed the needle in my skull and everything was fine.
- [32:55]
A
What do you mean they changed the needle?
- [32:57]
B
They had to shave my head and stick a needle in my. To test the pressure on my brain. My brain was swelling.
- [33:02]
A
Uh huh.
- [33:02]
B
So they had a needle and they. The way it was showing on their machine that my brain was swelling so much they were going to bust my head open or I was going to die, you know, and they changed that needle and everything was fine. Just instantly snap your fingers, everything was fine.
- [33:15]
A
But in a coma for three months.
- [33:17]
B
The hospital for six.
- [33:18]
A
I got to ask you this because this intrigues me to no end. Okay, the coma deal. Do you have any memories in the coma or is that just a block or time gone? Okay.
- [33:27]
B
Yeah, I don't remember being hit.
- [33:28]
A
Okay.
- [33:29]
B
I don't remember for the wreck or after the. I mean the only thing I remember is the last week of that hospital, last week of recovery.
- [33:35]
A
Oh, okay.
- [33:35]
B
I was in the hospital for six months, but I only made it. I got pictures of me during that time.
- [33:41]
A
I bet you want those?
- [33:42]
B
Yeah. And you know, and I'm kind of, I mean I remember no pain from that wreck. As hard as I was hit, I bit my tongue almost in half. You know, I had a closed head injury, my had a compound fracture, my right thigh. Half my bone was hanging out my body, you know, I mean, the biggest bone in your body, you know what I'm saying? And it broke it and half it was hanging out. I don't remember nothing. I remember having stitches. I don't remember nothing at all. And so that's from my higher power. I know it's from God, because not to have no pain to be in a bad car wreck like that. Yeah, yeah, it was pretty bad.
- [34:12]
A
And then recovery for that, I was.
- [34:15]
B
In the hospital for six months and pretty much that. Six months. I mean, I was okay. There's a little short term. I got memory loss. I guess short terms, I don't remember some things. But other than that, I mean, it's kind of like with age, you know, I mean, you don't want to mention my name, my number, but I'm pretty up there, you know, and it goes along with age, you know, you forget time to time. But other than that, I promise you I'm more healthy now physically than I've ever been, you know, in my whole life. So as of it physically hurting me, okay. And I was hit pretty hard. But you know, to come out of it somewhere, it's got to be God, you know, And I was like, everybody was just like. The doctors dropped their jaw, you know, Dropped their jaw, you know, they were like, couldn't believe I come out of it so well. They wanted me to do some mathematical work and all this English work. And I'm just like, what? Why are you asking me this stuff? You know, just doing no problem. What do you want? Yeah, so they just were amazed how well I come out. Really. It's only God.
- [35:11]
A
Like that one I'll introduce. There's a guy here in temple who's in a coma similar like that. I won't get into his story, but it's an intriguing discussion because he has memories and like so in it all, like so it always. It intrigues me of where you know and I know doctors say that it's brain activity and this and that. Okay, so let me ask you this. Do you have kids now?
- [35:36]
B
Yes, I've got two kids.
- [35:37]
A
Okay, where are they at whatever.
- [35:41]
B
In Dallas. My boy is in Dallas. My little girl, she's in Seattleville. My boy is 31.
- [35:46]
A
31, yeah.
- [35:47]
B
My little girl is.
- [35:48]
A
So Lorinda's at least 32.
- [35:52]
B
About 16.
- [35:53]
A
Okay.
- [35:54]
B
Yeah. They're 13 years apart. I had my boy when I was 20. Okay, so figure that one out. Wait.
- [36:02]
A
Oh, man, I'm older than you. Gosh, dog it.
- [36:07]
B
Yeah. But yeah, my kids are, you Know, my dad pretty much raised my son and then my little girl, I mean, she's with me up till maybe about five years ago. And when I come, you know, because of that one, the guy I was with, he was physically hurting me and mentally, more emotionally. Anything, because physically I fought back. But emotionally, emotionally, yeah, he was, you know, you know, talking down on me and stuff. And it really, I didn't really see it as being, you know, a verbal, you know, assault or whatever, but however you want to say it, I don't know. But emotionally he was running me down and, you know, I didn't know that it was abuse and I didn't know how to get out of it. I didn't know how to get help from it. And so that goes along with my low self esteem anyway. So, you know, but it was really hard on me to get to, to get out from that too. I mean, this is just the tip of the iceberg. You don't even know. Talking about my life, my past.
- [37:02]
A
Why can't like so like in like it's the asides, like the little tidbits. Oh, yeah, that's kind of like when I was in the coma for six months.
- [37:12]
B
Yeah.
- [37:14]
A
In this abusive relationship. And out of that. Let me ask. So I would ask any lady this because why do you think esteem. Having low self esteem. Why is that something you struggle with? Like why. How do you see Lorinda? Tell me when Lorinda looks at Lorinda, tell me, what do you see?
- [37:38]
B
Well, you know, as of the beauty who are being beautiful, I kind of have issues about that. I don't, you know, but it is what it is the way I think, you know, I mean, I. I've had a hard life and you know, if I got a few wrinkles and that's fine too, you know, I just get, you know, and that's just like today the way I look, you know, I'm like, I don't care. Let's go. You know, it is what it is. You know why, why paint up a pretty picture? You know what I'm saying? I'm like that country song they're talking about, Paint Me a Birmingham. Yeah, you know, it is what it is. You know, you can put paint over it and you can dress it up, make it a little real pretty, or you can just take it as it comes. And that's what I think God wants the most, is take it as you are, not how you want to be. You know what I'm saying? That's what I'm really. I mean, today I'm wearing it. But yeah, that's just the way I feel. I mean, I've always had a low self esteem being my weight because, you know, I'm heavy. I mean not real heavy, but I'm a thick girl. And so. But it runs in my family. My whole family's like that, you know, so it can't really. But I was teased a lot, you know, when I was growing up about being fat and ugly. My parents, oh, they're just because you're so pretty. They just do that. I'm like, but still what it still works. And so, yeah. And then the abuse. I mean, I didn't even really think of it like that. But him tell me, you're no good, you'll never amount to nothing. You know, you'll know. And for that was aware on me too. And I was just like, but I'm somebody, you know. It's kind of hard to see that when you're, you know, in that moment. But see, and that's like me watering out here and for. To get the overwhelming, you know, of thanks and all that for doing it. That's nothing to me. This is just something I do, you know, it's just something to me. And to get the thanks and the praise out of it, it's awesome. I mean I never really had that. So it's really cool being another water girl.
- [39:27]
A
And what's interesting to me is the flowers that you work on. Okay. And that. That you would look at. I haven't seen one yet that is anything short of perfection.
- [39:45]
B
They're all different. Yeah, they're all different. That's with people. People.
- [39:50]
A
Somehow we can as humans and me too. I mean like we can define ourselves by what other people say to try to put us down. You never look at a beautiful flower and go, oh, that rose is ugly.
- [40:05]
B
Yeah, look, there's one.
- [40:06]
A
Yeah, this one's way better. So in humans it's. Sometimes it's. And then what's really sad to me is we can define ourselves by other people's definition of what they see. And then it's.
- [40:20]
B
Yeah. And it's usually in all in here.
- [40:22]
A
It's in our head. It is because then the guy have.
- [40:25]
B
A whole scenario and be all down about yourself and then something outside of yourself. I mean. And that's what happens to me lately is that I'll get in my head and I'll start thinking all this stuff and then as soon as I come to like start watering or whatever and you know, it all changes. I mean it's just crazy how we can get in our mind and our mind will take us there.
- [40:43]
A
Well, then I will put something in your mind. And this is fact. Because I don't. I mean, I'm not really wanting to lie to people. Okay. That's just. I ain't got time for it.
- [40:52]
B
Okay.
- [40:53]
A
So it takes more effort and I'm lazy. So remember this like that when I look upon you and when I see you in your. Your element out there with your working on the plants. Okay. Your eyes, you're absolutely stunningly beautiful.
- [41:17]
B
Thank you.
- [41:18]
A
Okay. And so to look at that. And I'm not the physical beauty. Yes. But the beauty and the worth and the care.
- [41:28]
B
Yeah.
- [41:28]
A
That you have. Like, you can. You can see that. And so when I say it makes me smile because I understand when I see the flowers, how much work and care you put into that that nobody else even hardly notices.
- [41:44]
B
Yeah. Okay.
- [41:46]
A
And you go, that's Lorinda.
- [41:49]
B
Yeah, definitely.
- [41:50]
A
Okay. And then out of it, it's even a boat like that, you can find a tiny bit of peace doing it. And to know it is much appreciated.
- [42:00]
B
Yeah.
- [42:00]
A
And. But that wasn't even why you did it.
- [42:03]
B
And also I was told that there. You can't grow nothing on 6th Street. I mean, on 12. Yeah.
- [42:07]
A
On Avenue.
- [42:08]
B
On Avenue G. That they done cursed it or something. You can't grow nothing. Nothing green out of Avenue G. I'm.
- [42:13]
A
Like, watch me so out of here. Like, I grew up in this town. And the sentence that said. And it still said, and it's not true. And you're showing that. Okay, is everybody around here. Because Avenue G, there's a lot of people on this street that are homeless. Okay. That come here. So there's people that have struggles and other people who are not on the street will go, nothing good ever grows on Avenue G. Bull crude, I would say in it. I will tell anybody and everything. And you are smart enough to know what you are growing means more to the people than they even understand. When I show and brag to everybody, hey, I want you to see what she is growing out here. Okay. It is more, I want them to see the flowers, but also with care and work and allow God to do what he's going to do. We can grow amazing things out here. And now I've got something to look at. And you didn't do it because it was never. You didn't start going, learn to, hey, if you just do this for a month or two, hey, we'll get you a place to stay.
- [43:31]
B
Yeah.
- [43:31]
A
Anybody would do that.
- [43:32]
B
Yeah.
- [43:33]
A
Well, I can't say anybody would, but people would do that. Oh, I do this. I get this. You did it. Just because. Okay. And still do.
- [43:44]
B
And I got. You know. And my payment is from God. I mean, you can say anything, but I know it's from God. Everything I've done.
- [43:51]
A
And so what we'll do is there's so many more questions. I'm sure people want to ask that I want to ask, but we're. We're not. We're going to keep this one shorter. I want you to know that it is much appreciated.
- [44:05]
B
Thank you.
- [44:06]
A
That what you do. I'm glad we're friends. And I'm glad you're inside. And. And for you to hear your worth. I hope we showed like to you your worth was not any less when you were outside. And it's not anymore when you're inside. Lorinda was beautiful. And all that goes with her is an amazing thing. And God is doing incredible things.
- [44:35]
B
Absolutely.
- [44:36]
A
And this story every day. And I'm excited just to watch it blossom. Okay. I don't even think we've seen the true flower of what Lorenzo is going to turn out to be. We're still growing. I can see the bud. And you're going, this is an amazing thing that's growing right here. It's still not. Blossom. There's still some more to come. And you go. Okay. This is amazing to see. So I thank you for taking us a bit on this deal. And I'm never really sure what to expect out of these. I knew that you'd have a whole lot of life. There's been a lot of life. And we haven't even. Like you said, we haven't even touched it.
- [45:20]
B
Yeah.
- [45:22]
A
Okay. But your strength inside is impressive. And your perseverance. And every day, we cannot say that enough. In chaos and good days and bad days and all in between. Okay. Never. The only certainty that I really had up here. Because our world is chaos. Only certainty. The sun's going to come up. The sun's going to go down, and Lorenda's going to water the plants and Sydney's going to serve lunch. Like, we ain't going to miss lunch. Outside of that, every day is a different variable.
- [45:59]
B
Absolutely.
- [46:00]
A
Never did that change. I appreciate that. And I appreciate you sharing a little bit with us today. And I'll tell you a tidbit. Here's a Carrie Von Eric, because I hadn't forgotten. So the rumor you're gonna say. And I will. I will. Okay. I'm gonna let you Ponder this. Okay. There is somebody in our line right now that comes here pretty much every day. A guy. Okay. His niece dated Carrie Von Erich here in temple when I was in high school. Yes, ma'am. I am not lying. Carrie Von Erich dated a girl here in temple. Okay.
- [46:41]
B
Wow.
- [46:42]
A
She was 19. I don't know. He was older.
- [46:44]
B
Yeah.
- [46:45]
A
So it was kind of like a scandal here in temple.
- [46:47]
B
Wow.
- [46:48]
A
Carrie Von Eric. Oh, he does not still alive. Kevin is the one that's still alive.
- [46:52]
B
Yeah.
- [46:53]
A
And I didn't much care for the movie. Did you watch that movie? Okay.
- [46:58]
B
But to carry all the Iceman King Parsons.
- [47:01]
A
Oh, yeah.
- [47:04]
B
I know. A wrestler.
- [47:05]
A
We're gonna go back to that discussion. But so Carrie Von Erich and you. Okay. In the next little bit, we're gonna play a game. You're gonna try to guess who it is. I'm not going to tell you, but you'll. I'd be surprised.
- [47:20]
B
Yeah. I don't know. Okay.
- [47:21]
A
But, yeah. So Carrie Von Erich. So, Lorenda, I appreciate you spending some time with us.
- [47:28]
B
I enjoyed it.
- [47:29]
A
It was not too bad.
- [47:30]
B
No, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it.
- [47:32]
A
Yeah. And then we're gonna probably at some point do part two and to talk.
- [47:37]
B
Yeah, we'll do the video then and the next one.
- [47:41]
A
So I will tell you, like, Lorena doesn't know this. I really want to do a video for y'all out there of showing Lorinda and the work and what we're doing in the garden.
- [47:50]
B
Yeah, that'll be cool.
- [47:51]
A
In her element, just to see. You got to see the picture to really understand what's going on. So that's another thing that want to do just so people can see what a beautiful thing is occurring and what a beautiful thing Lorenda is and what God is doing with her. So, like, what we say every time here, it's good to hear a little bit, is Lorenda's like everybody else here. She is a person, and every person here, every person anywhere, they have a story and they also matter. And so we would say Lorenda, like, it is neat to see that you matter and that, you know, it's why we do what we do and to appreciate all that you do. And then I would say that everybody else out there, if you're listening to this, you're a person too, and you matter as well.
- [48:52]
B
That's right. Don't give up.
- [48:54]
A
Don't give up. Don't give up. Thank you, Lorinda. Thank you, Bobby. Good to go. Done.